Empire State Energy Association ( New York ), Energy Marketers Association of Rhode Island , Fuel Merchants Association of New Jersey , Maine Energy Marketers Association , Massachusetts Energy Marketers Association , National Association of Oil and Energy Service Professionals , New Hampshire Energy Marketers Association , New York State Energy Coalition , Pennsylvania Petroleum Association , Vermont Fuel Dealer ’ s Association and Washington State Independent Energy Distributors Association .
� OBITUARY KENNETH C . BUHRMASTER
Kenneth C . Buhrmaster , president and CEO of Buhrmaster Energy Group and Shaw Propane , died on Feb . 13 . He was 53 years old .
Born on October 20 , 1969 , in Schenectady NY , he was the son of James and Sandra Buhrmaster . He grew up in Scotia and was a 1987 graduate of Scotia-Glenville High School . He was an alumnus of Utica College of Syracuse University , receiving his Bachelor of Science in Economics & Human Resource Management in 1994 .
He spent his professional career working for his family businesses . He started at the age of 14 as a shop hand working his way up from sales manager to becoming President / CEO of J . H . Buhrmaster Company , Inc ., Buhrmaster Propane , LLC , and Shaw Fuel /
Kenneth C . Buhrmaster
Propane . Most recently he was named to the Board of Directors for the Scautub Insurance Agency in Scotia .
He was also dedicated to improving the heating industry as well as his community through his volunteerism . He volunteered for organizations such as the Oil Heat Institute of Eastern , NY , where he was awarded Person of the Year in 2006 , was a member of the Town of Ballston Zoning Board of Appeals and Town of Milton Zoning Board Chairman , he served on the board of the New York Propane Gas Association , Empire State Energy Association , and the Upstate New York Energy Association . Recreationally , he was in the Galway Lake Sailing Club , the Boy Scouts , a member of the Scotia-Glenville Elks Lodge # 2759 , and was a talented lead guitarist in multiple bands , specializing in rock and heavy metal .
He is survived by his wife of 26 years , Kathleen ; his children , Preston Kenneth , Reagan James and Arden Mae ; mother , Sandra , as well as brothers and extended family .
In lieu of flowers , the family asks that charitable donations be made to the Crohn ’ s and Colitis Foundation in Ken ’ s honor .
� OBITUARY : BRUCE A . BOTT , FOUNDER OF ADD SYSTEMS
ADD Systems announced that its founder , Bruce Alan Bott , died at his home on February 2 after a long illness . He was 81 .
“ His entrepreneurial spirit , unfaltering dedication , and incredible foresight made ADD Systems the strong company it is today , but it was his exceptional ability to welcome , empower and appreciate the people around him that solidified its success ,” the company said in a statement .
Bott , of Flanders , NJ , is survived by his wife of 59 years , Gale , six children and their partners , and 20 grandchildren .
Born August 6 , 1941 , in Orange , NJ , he spent his childhood in Boonton , NJ . At Boonton High School — where , years later , he would be inducted into the hall of fame — he met his high school sweetheart and lifelong partner , Gale , at 15 years old . At the time , he was working his first job as a farmhand , across the street from her home , on the Franklin Bott Dairy Farm .
Bott was a graduate of Lehigh University , where he received both his Bachelor ’ s (‘ 63 ) and
Bruce A . Bott
then Master ’ s of Science in Civil Engineering (‘ 66 ). He worked as a truck driver for Dixon Brothers , later joining Rust Engineering in Georgetown , SC . South Carolina always remained a second home — a place he loved sharing with his children and grandchildren . Eventually , Bott decided to strike out on his own , founding ADD Systems and leading the company as its president . The company is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year , with many long-time employees .
A mentor to many , Bott was a longstanding member and trustee of St . Jude Parish , as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus . He was heavily involved at St . Clare ’ s Foundation . He also spent nearly two decades on Mount Olive ’ s Board of Education , including many terms as the president . Always busy completing projects around his house and yard , Bott loved landscaping and his machines — his trucks , tractors , and RV . He earned a pilot ’ s license , enjoyed horse shows and model trains , and was a voracious reader .
A Life Celebration was held February 6 at the William J . Leber Funeral Home in Chester , NJ . A funeral mass was held on February 7 at St . Jude Thaddeus Parish , Budd Lake , NJ , followed by interment at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Chester , NJ .
In lieu of flowers , memorial donations may be made to the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer ’ s Disease , Chicago , at https :// www . brain . northwestern . edu / about / giving . html , or Smile Train at https :// www . smiletrain . org /. l FON
8 MARCH 2023 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com